Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Temperate Reflections Suited To The Present Time.
upon the duties which are required by every natural and religious princip le at our hands . Nor is it , surely , a difficult matter to enter into the enquiry , and to examine what we have done , and what , inconsequence , remains for us to do . On these two points should turn our meditations , and if managed with impartiality and manly resolution , the re-° virtue and of
sult would befavourable to the interests of our country , and most undoubtedly would be richly beneficial to ourselves . Our enquiry , therefore , in the first place , should be how far we , by our private indulgences or public example , have contributed to the great mass of national evil ; lor let sceptics and libertines argue or faugh as much as they please on the subject , reason alone is sufficient 1 the of the
to the proof , that individualcorruptions tend to injury state . It is to be feared , that were this enquiry universally adopted , and the whole collected into one public spectacle of exhibition , a scene would arise that would even make the heart of torpid indifference start back with horrid apprehension . The licentiousness of former periods , ( i speak of the annals of this country ) will be found trivial , and almost virtue , when compared to that which disgraces the present . It would be no difficult matter to adduce proofs of this
assertion by various comparisons ; but he will hardly need those proofs , who considers the frequency of adulterous connections , the swarms of the unhappy impures which infest our streets , and the abominable immorality of fashionable gaming-houses , where that , which was formerly the badge of honour and the crest of proud distinction , in . virtue , is now become a sanction to the lowest of vices .
What then is our duty at this interesting moment , under the influence of these serious and alarming considerations ?—What , but personal reformation , and the adoption of virtuous example ?—If the stream will run on in disorder and destruction , it will be to our honour , and ultimately to our advantage , to keep close in the path of moral , political , and relig ious duty . Some are too apt to reason with
themselves in this weak manner : ' Of what use can our little endeavours be in so extensive a concern?—W-hat good can we do to the community by pursuing a singular course in a time of general depravity ?'—It is by this sort of wretched sophistry that all the evils complained of in the society not only remain , but increase , to the danger of its final destruction . —Each member should act ( as I before observed ) as though the whole salvation of the state , as though the whole moral condition of the society , depended on the resolution which he forms , and the manner in which he puts it into
execution . Were anv considerable number of considerate persons to be found who should resolve to act upon this enlarged principle , the face of things would not long continue as it now is . We should happily see more vigour in the body politic , more unanimous sentiments on political questions , a return of that good old Antigallican spirit , which roused and exerted itself in a greater rroportion of courage as the enemy vaunted himself , -and was siicce . bful . We should then ru
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Temperate Reflections Suited To The Present Time.
upon the duties which are required by every natural and religious princip le at our hands . Nor is it , surely , a difficult matter to enter into the enquiry , and to examine what we have done , and what , inconsequence , remains for us to do . On these two points should turn our meditations , and if managed with impartiality and manly resolution , the re-° virtue and of
sult would befavourable to the interests of our country , and most undoubtedly would be richly beneficial to ourselves . Our enquiry , therefore , in the first place , should be how far we , by our private indulgences or public example , have contributed to the great mass of national evil ; lor let sceptics and libertines argue or faugh as much as they please on the subject , reason alone is sufficient 1 the of the
to the proof , that individualcorruptions tend to injury state . It is to be feared , that were this enquiry universally adopted , and the whole collected into one public spectacle of exhibition , a scene would arise that would even make the heart of torpid indifference start back with horrid apprehension . The licentiousness of former periods , ( i speak of the annals of this country ) will be found trivial , and almost virtue , when compared to that which disgraces the present . It would be no difficult matter to adduce proofs of this
assertion by various comparisons ; but he will hardly need those proofs , who considers the frequency of adulterous connections , the swarms of the unhappy impures which infest our streets , and the abominable immorality of fashionable gaming-houses , where that , which was formerly the badge of honour and the crest of proud distinction , in . virtue , is now become a sanction to the lowest of vices .
What then is our duty at this interesting moment , under the influence of these serious and alarming considerations ?—What , but personal reformation , and the adoption of virtuous example ?—If the stream will run on in disorder and destruction , it will be to our honour , and ultimately to our advantage , to keep close in the path of moral , political , and relig ious duty . Some are too apt to reason with
themselves in this weak manner : ' Of what use can our little endeavours be in so extensive a concern?—W-hat good can we do to the community by pursuing a singular course in a time of general depravity ?'—It is by this sort of wretched sophistry that all the evils complained of in the society not only remain , but increase , to the danger of its final destruction . —Each member should act ( as I before observed ) as though the whole salvation of the state , as though the whole moral condition of the society , depended on the resolution which he forms , and the manner in which he puts it into
execution . Were anv considerable number of considerate persons to be found who should resolve to act upon this enlarged principle , the face of things would not long continue as it now is . We should happily see more vigour in the body politic , more unanimous sentiments on political questions , a return of that good old Antigallican spirit , which roused and exerted itself in a greater rroportion of courage as the enemy vaunted himself , -and was siicce . bful . We should then ru